A RETIRED top Welsh police officer who was inspired to become a bobby by the Aberfan tragedy was called up to help probe the New Zealand mining disaster.

Peter Ackerley, once North Wales’ most senior detective, cut short a festive holiday to nearby Australia when he was asked to set up an independent investigation into the Pike River Mine disaster, which killed 29 colliers.

The experienced policeman, just 10 days into a visit Down Under, got the call from Tony Rogers, former Assistant Chief Constable of South Wales Police.

“We were at a retreat looking out over Jacob’s Creek, where they make the wine,” said Peter, now back at his home near Llandudno.

“Tony asked me where I was. I said I was near Adelaide and that’s when he realised I wasn’t in the UK.

“We had a meeting of the Pike River investigators and I was the only one there who had been down a mine.”

He and Tony were asked to help because of their combined knowledge of procedures for major investigations.